The final AP Poll of the season is out, and Georgia will finish 2024 ranked No. 6. After claiming the College Football Playoff National Championship last night with a win over Notre Dame, Ohio State comes in atop the rankings according to the 56 voters with the Irish just behind them at No. 2. Semifinalists Texas and Penn State are ranked No. 4 and No. 5 respectively with Oregon, which went unbeaten up until the Playoffs, sandwiched in between at No. 3.
Georgia’s ranking outside the top 5 is a first since 2020, hoisting the National Championship trophy on the final Monday night of the season in 2021 and 2022 before impressively dominating Florida State to finish as the first non-Playoff team in last year’s final AP Poll. Under Kirby Smart’s direction, the Bulldogs have finished outside the top-10 just once – 2016, Smart’s first season in Athens.
It’s now officially the offseason in College Football, which has been the case at Georgia for a few weeks now. UGA saw its season come to an end on January 2nd in New Orleans at the hands of Notre Dame. Gunner Stockton made his first career start in place of an injured Carson Beck, and the Bulldogs just couldn’t quite do enough around him to help. A pair of first half turnovers proved costly as Notre Dame scored its only offensive touchdown of the game when given the short field just before the halftime break. Then, when the Irish returned the opening kickoff for a 98-yard touchdown, Georgia found itself trailing by three scores, 20-3.
Stockton, who enters 2025 as the expected starter for Georgia, finished the game throwing for 234 yards and a 32-yard touchdown completion on 20-of-32 passing. The Bulldogs out-gained Notre Dame, but it was Riley Leonard (15-of-24, 90 passing yards, 1 touchdown, 14 attempts, 90 rushing yards) and the squad from South Bend that advanced to play Penn State in the Orange Bowl.
Since then, Georgia’s roster for next season has shaped up. Guys like Trevor Etienne, Tate Ratledge, Mykel Williams, Jalon Walker and Malaki Starks announced intentions to enter the NFL Draft. Carson Beck, after doing the same prior to the Sugar Bowl, surprisingly entered the transfer portal and decided on Miami as his next destination. He’s one of 12 players from this season’s team to do so.
It hasn’t been all bad news though for the Bulldogs. Georgia did get back the likes of Dillon Bell, Oscar Delp, Daylen Everette and Christen Miller – each of whom announced they would return for their fourth season in Athens. Transfer portal additions have included former five-star Zachariah Branch (USC), a proven SEC pass catcher Noah Thomas (Texas A&M) and an interesting trio of in the secondary (Zion Branch – USC, Jaden Harris – Miami, Adrian Maddox – UAB).
Georgia is considered to be a top-5 team by ESPN, Sporting News and Athlon Sports in each publication’s respective way-too-early preseason rankings for 2025 with a win total over/under set at 9.5 by FanDuel.
The Georgia Bulldogs put up a valiant fight in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinals, but ultimately fell short against their opponents. Despite the tough loss, Georgia finishes the season strong, claiming the sixth spot in the nation. The team showcased their talent and determination throughout the season, earning them a well-deserved spot among the top teams in the country. Congratulations to the Bulldogs on a successful season and we look forward to seeing what they will accomplish next year. Go Dawgs! #GeorgiaFootball #CFPQuarterfinals #TopSixFinish
Tags:
Georgia football, College Football Playoff, CFP Quarterfinal, Georgia Bulldogs, NCAA football, SEC football, Georgia sports, Georgia athletics, CFP rankings, Georgia football news
#Georgia #finishes #sixth #nation #CFP #Quarterfinal #loss
Key events
They think the body-serve might cramp Sinner and push him over the baseline, so he can’t hit the ball on the rise, but that’s all they’ve got really. But it’s time to actually see because the players are coming out, and what a moment this must be for De Minaur, marching out in front of his home crowd, the eyes of Australia upon him. He’s ready for this, I think, but is his best good enough?
In the Eurosport studio, Tim notes that Lleyton Hewitt was a problem for him in match-up; Mats that he struggled against Boris Becker and Pete Sampras on fast courts. Er, you and everyone else ever to play the game, old mate. But can they find a route to victory for Demon?
I guess Demon has to keep him moving – if he plants his feet it’s over – serve as well as he can, hit his drops well, and hope Sinner has an off-day.
Anyone? Bueller? Bue-ller?
How do you beat Jannik Sinner? Well, if you’re a creative genius with power, or a complete machine, that helps, but what if you’re not Carlos Alcaraz or Novak Djokovic? Then what?
In the women’s draw, Iga Swiatek beat Emma Navarro 1 and 2; Madison Keys beat Elina Svitolina 3-6 6-3 6-4.
Those two meet tomorrow following Aryna Sabalenka v Paulo Badosa, and I can’t wait for either. Keys has a massive game and her top level is serious; if she’s on, she’s every chance of beating Swiatek, having found better control and patience without compromising power.
Badosa, meantime, has a huge game and might finally have worked out how to manage it. She’ll have seen how Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova outhit Sabalenka yesterday and fancy she can do the same, without starting slowly and fading at the end.
Or, in other words, the draw has been kind to us.
Back to Shelton, he’s a fantastic athlete with a brilliant mentality, excellent serve and nuclear forehand. The problem he has, though, is his backhand – Coach Calv notes “there’s some mad stat that if you make him play one the first shot of a rally, he only wins the point 15% of the time or something.”
I’d actually back him to beat De Minaur; it’s hard to see what he has that Sinner doesn’t.
Next on Laver: Jannik Sinner (1) v Alex de Minaur (8).
“Shout out Lorenzo Sonego because that was some ridiculous tennis,” he begins, laughing. He’s really happy to be through and win his first match on Laver, one of his favourites in his career.
He accepts that if he meets Demon next the crowd can boo him, chuck stuff at him and all the rest, and expects the same if he’s against the world no 1.
Then, of course, he finishes with a fraternal “Let’s go baby!” and he’s so much fun; he’s got such competitive charisma.
Wild celebrations from Shelton, as you might expect, and here he is…
A body-serve sets up the point, finished by Shelton with two colossal inside-out forehands. He meets Sinner or De Minaur in the semi.
A big serve, a return into the net, and at 6-4, Shelton has two match points!
Shelton hurls himself after a drop, somehow finding the strength to get under it and flip it back – Sonego puts away easily – before splattering the hoardings in crowd-pleasing fashion. He does press-ups to bank the laughs, then Sonego misses a volley and at 5-4, he’s two serves away from the last four!
Sonego just won’t go away and more than that, he’s playing well; we’re 3-3 in the breaker.
Email! “I know that World No 1 vs Local Boy is the big draw today, but the attendance at the Shelton-Sonego quarter-final is embarrassing,” emails Keith Shaw. “Do you know how the ticketing works?”
I do not, but I imagine the relative emptiness is because day-sesh people have chipped. At Wimbledon, you have queues to fill the gaps, but maybe they don’t operate that system; maybe there’s no demand for it.
And Shelton serves out to 15 for his breaker.
Sonego survives a break point to hold for 6-5 in the fourth, guaranteeing himself a tiebreak. This is a proper physical tussle.
But first, we’ve the end of Ben Shelton (21) 6-4 7-5 4-6 5-5 Lorenzo Sonego. Good!
G’day and welcome to the Australian Open 2025 – day 11, night session!
There’s something cartoonish about today’s tussle: the big, powerful defending champ takes on the little, scurrying local hero. Except in the cartoon version, it’s the smaller man who wins, whereas reality is somewhat different.
Jannik Sinner and Alex de Minaur have played each other nine times, and Sinner has won on each occasion. He hits it harder and more accurately; he serves better, returns better and volleys better. There’s no shame in that – he does almost all of those things better than almost everyone else in the world – but consequently, it’s not easy to find De Minaur a route to victory.
And yet he’s never had a better chance. Sinner was ill through his last match, so might not be fully recovered; De Minaur is fitter than in some time; the crowd are on his side; the cooler night is better for his indefatigable chasing; and what if the cartoon is not a series but a film?
OK, we’re reaching. But regardless of who wins and how, this should be a terrific contest. Let’s go!
Play: 7.30pm local, 8.30pm GMT
The Australian Open quarter-final match between rising star Jannik Sinner and hometown favorite Alex de Minaur is set to be an intense battle on the courts of Melbourne Park. Both players have shown incredible form throughout the tournament, making it a must-watch for tennis fans around the world.
Sinner, the young Italian sensation, has been turning heads with his powerful game and fearless approach on the court. With his booming serves and aggressive groundstrokes, he has already defeated some top-ranked players on his way to the quarter-finals.
On the other hand, de Minaur, the Australian crowd favorite, will have the support of the home crowd as he aims to make his mark on the Grand Slam stage. Known for his speed and tenacity, de Minaur is sure to give Sinner a tough challenge in their quarter-final clash.
As the two players battle it out for a spot in the semi-finals, tennis fans can expect a thrilling match filled with exciting rallies and jaw-dropping shots. Stay tuned for live updates on this exciting showdown at the Australian Open 2025!
Tags:
#Australian #Open #quarterfinal #Jannik #Sinner #Alex #Minaur #live #Australian #Open
CNN
—
Novak Djokovic produced a vintage performance to beat Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open quarterfinals on Tuesday, moving one step closer towards winning a record-breaking 25th grand slam singles title.
The Serbian was made to work hard for the win by his young Spanish rival, with the pair engaging in a titanic battle on court which finally ended 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 after three hours and 37 minutes.
“One of the most epic matches I’ve played on this court, any court really,” Djokovic said during his post-match interview.
The 10-time Australian Open champion is bidding to claim an outright record 25th grand slam at this year’s tournament, surpassing Australia’s Margaret Court in the process.
It was Alcaraz who started the better of the pair in what was a hotly-anticipated clash, with the Spaniard winning the opening set to pile the pressure on Djokovic.
The 37-year-old was also struggling with what appeared to be an upper leg injury and was forced to take a medical timeout towards the end of the first set. He returned to the court with his upper left leg taped up.
Trailing the match and managing an injury, Djokovic attempted to shorten the rallies through the second set and it was a tactic that worked – the former world No.1 leveled the scores and began growing into the match.
“Since I’m still in the tournament, I don’t want to reveal too much,” Djokovic said about his injury.
“But the medication started to kick in and they helped, no doubt. I had to take another dose. If I lost that second set, I don’t know if I would continue playing, but I felt better and better.”
Rod Laver Arena was then treated to a magical display of tennis as Djokovic and Alcaraz went toe-to-toe. The moment of the match was perhaps the pulsating 33-shot rally, which Alcaraz managed to win in the fourth set to rescue a break point.
But it was Djokovic who came up clutch in the vital moments, letting out an emotional roar after winning match point.
“I wish this match today was the final,” Djokovic added.
He will now have the chance to rest before facing Alexander Zverev in the semifinals on Friday.
“I guess the key is recovery for me. To be honest, that’s all I’m thinking about. The extra day with no match comes at the perfect time for me,” he said.
“Let’s see if it’s going to be good enough on Friday, hopefully I can come out and feel my best because Sasha (Zverev) is playing some of the best tennis he has played.”
It was a tough defeat for Alcaraz who was bidding to become the youngest man to complete a career slam – an achievement consisting of winning Wimbledon, US Open, French Open and the Australian Open. The latter is the only grand slam the 21-year-old Spaniard has yet to win.
In a stunning display of skill and determination, Novak Djokovic emerged victorious against the rising star Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling Australian Open quarterfinal match. The Serbian tennis maestro showcased his unparalleled prowess on the court, ultimately defeating the young Spaniard in what can only be described as an ‘epic’ battle.
From the very first serve, Djokovic demonstrated why he is considered one of the greatest players of all time, dominating the match with his powerful groundstrokes and strategic play. However, Alcaraz, known for his tenacity and fearless attitude, put up a fierce fight, pushing Djokovic to his limits and thrilling the crowd with his impressive shot-making.
In the end, it was Djokovic’s experience and composure under pressure that proved to be the difference maker, as he closed out the match in a nail-biting finish. The victory not only secured Djokovic a spot in the semifinals, but also showcased his unwavering determination to continue his quest for another Australian Open title.
As the tennis world watches in awe, Novak Djokovic’s triumph over Carlos Alcaraz serves as a reminder of the incredible talent and fierce competition that the Australian Open has to offer. With each passing match, Djokovic solidifies his status as a true legend of the sport, leaving fans and opponents alike in awe of his unmatched skill and unwavering passion for the game.
Tags:
#Novak #Djokovic #beats #Carlos #Alcaraz #epic #Australian #Open #quarterfinal
The stage is set for an entertaining day of quarterfinal action at the Australian Open with four intriguing matches on the slate at Melbourne Park. As always, we here at LWOT will be offering our predictions for every match – including all the action in the women’s singles draw – but who will secure their spot in the last four?
Jim: Lorenzo Sonego has this sort of fortnight in him and when he is in form he can be a hard opponent to put away. Equally, however, he has a relatively kind draw so far in Melbourne and is yet to come up against an opponent of Ben Shelton’s quality. There are still plenty of areas for improvement in Shelton’s game, but his thunderous serve and forehand make him a real threat (particularly over five sets) and he should have too much for Sonego.
Prediction: Shelton in 4
Ateet: Shelton has shown a lot of maturity at this year’s Australian Open and his serve and forehand were too good for Gael Monfils, who had to retire in the fourth set. Sonego is into his first ever Grand Slam quarterfinal and is in great rhythm on his serve. I expect a very close match and the player who keeps his composure and level will win. I am going with Shelton.
Prediction: Shelton in 5
Jordan: Sonego has been rock solid so far, but this might be a bad matchup for him. He thrives most when he gets into the rallies, something Shelton’s powerful serve might not allow. I have a feeling the American will win this in three sets without being broken.
Prediction: Shelton in 3
Andreas: This is a big opportunity for either player. Sonego will be playing in his first ever Grand Slam quarterfinal, whilst Shelton can make a second Grand Slam semifinal by winning this. The American plays flashier tennis than Sonego — and in truth, on a good day, he does everything a bit better than the Italian.
But he can be vulnerable to errors on a poor day, and Sonego is ruthless with his groundstrokes when playing well. Notably, Shelton hit 51 winners in his fourth round match, while Sonego hit 58 winners at the same stage. The American should be the favorite, but it’ll be a great match.
Prediction: Shelton in 4
Yesh: Shelton is looking for his second Major semifinal, and he’s been gifted an amazing draw to do it with. Sonego looks solid but not amazing this tournament, and I’m not sure he’ll have any answers to Shelton’s serve and forehand combo. As long as the American doesn’t get tight (it’s happened in high-pressure situations before), he should have the advantages.
Prediction: Shelton in 4
Embed from Getty Images
Jim: Alex de Minaur has had another very good tournament. It will end here as so many of his good tournaments have. Whilst there is much to admire about the Australian, he simply does not pack enough of a punch to beat players like Jannik Sinner. The world #1, by way of contrast, has plenty of weapons and that makes this a fundamentally unequal contest.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Ateet: Sinner was physically compromised during his fourth round match against Holger Rune but showed incredible mental strength and fight to win in four sets. He has a dominant record against the Australian and if he is physically fine, he will win this match. De Minaur is a brilliant player but doesn’t match-up well against Sinner.
Prediction: Sinner in 4
Jordan: De Minaur has a terrible record against Sinner. However, the Italian’s unexpected physical issues against Holger Rune might give him some hope. But there is no guarantee that will happen to Sinner again and most of the evidence points to him winning again.
Prediction: Sinner in 4
Andreas: The world #1 might not be as much of a formidable Australian Open as fans thought. He struggled with the heat and illness in his last round, and missed more shots than normal. De Minaur, meanwhile, will have the benefit of playing in front of his home fans, coming off a confidence inducing win over the red-hot Alex Michelsen.
The Italian will have to control the centre of the court and serve big to avoid long rallies that de Minaur will prolong. It’s unlikely that the Aussie will pull off the upset, but Sinner will have to play well to reach the semifinals.
Prediction: Sinner in 4
Yesh: Sinner scared us all in the second set against Holger Rune when he appeared to be physically struggling. That struggle went away in the last two sets, so let’s hope he’s okay from here. If he is, de Minaur is in big trouble. The Aussie is playing so well, but he just can’t handle Sinner from the back of the court. No one can.
Prediction: Sinner in 3
Main photo credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images
The Australian Open quarterfinals are set to begin, and one of the most highly anticipated matches is between rising star Jannik Sinner and hometown favorite Alex de Minaur. Both players have been in top form throughout the tournament, and this match is sure to be a thrilling battle.
Sinner, the young Italian sensation, has been on a tear this tournament, showcasing his powerful groundstrokes and impressive movement on the court. He has already taken down some top-ranked players, and he will be looking to continue his success against de Minaur.
On the other hand, de Minaur, the Australian crowd favorite, has also been playing some exceptional tennis. Known for his speed and tenacity, de Minaur has the ability to run down almost any ball and turn defense into offense in the blink of an eye.
In this quarterfinal matchup, I predict that Sinner will come out on top. His aggressive style of play and big serve will put pressure on de Minaur, who may struggle to keep up with Sinner’s pace. However, de Minaur is known for his fighting spirit, so I expect this match to be a close one.
Overall, I predict that Sinner will win in a hard-fought battle, advancing to the semifinals of the Australian Open. But with both players in top form, anything can happen on the day of the match. Be sure to tune in to see who will come out on top in this exciting quarterfinal clash.
Tags:
Australian Open, Quarterfinal Predictions, Sinner vs de Minaur, Tennis, Grand Slam, Melbourne, Australia, Match Preview, Player Analysis, Tournament, Sports Betting, Odds, Prediction, Tennis Matchups, Tennis Players, Tennis Predictions, Tennis Tournament, Tennis News, Australian Open 2022
#Australian #Open #Quarterfinal #Predictions #including #Sinner #Minaur
Novak Djokovic resumes his rivalry with Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open on Tuesday in a clash of two tennis generations.
Djokovic is arguably the sport’s greatest of all time, playing in pursuit of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.
Meanwhile Alcaraz is at the forefront of tennis’ new wave of rising stars. He is still only 21 years old, but has already won Wimbledon twice as well as the French Open and US Open.
The Australian Open is the only major title outside of Alcaraz’s collection and he is seeking to complete his career Grand Slam this year in Melbourne.
If he manages to do so, he would be the younger player ever to accomplish the feat.
This quarter-final will take place from 9.30am on Tuesday, which you can follow in the live blog on the Sky Sports website and app.
Alcaraz won a memorable Wimbledon final against Djokovic in 2023, prevailing in a five-set thriller. The Spaniard dominated Djokovic to win the Wimbledon final again last year.
But Djokovic was victorious in their last encounter, when he beat Alcaraz at Roland Garros in an emotional Olympic final last summer to secure his first gold medal.
Sky Sports Tennis commentator Jonathan Overend said this quarter-final is “worthy of a final, worthy of any final, and yet here they are playing in the last eight”.
“They’ve had so many great battles in the past, notably the Wimbledon final from two years ago, the Cincinnati final from that summer as well was quite incredible and of course the Olympic final from 2024 on the clay of Roland Garros, which was in many people’s eyes was the match of last season,” Overend continued.
“It was an unbelievable level achieved by these two. The shot-making, the defensive ability, the movement of both of these guys – never in doubt – and the emotion at the end with Djokovic in tears having completed the Golden Slam and Alcaraz in tears because he came so close to winning that gold medal for Spain.
“If we get anywhere close to a repeat of the standard of tennis that day in this match, then we’re in for a Melbourne treat.”
It will be the earliest stage at which they’ve crossed paths in a major.
“This is not the right player to play in a quarter-final, I guess,” Alcaraz said.
“Being in a quarter-final, I’m going to approach the match the same as I did in the previous matches against him, and let’s see.
“I know my weapons. I know that I’m able to play good tennis against him, I’m able to beat him.”
Djokovic said of Alcaraz: “He’s a very dynamic, explosive player. Incredibly talented and charismatic. He’s great to watch but not that great to play against.
“I’m expecting a big battle, as is the case in most of our matches when we’ve faced each other.”
Djokovic says he is relishing his new rivalry with Alcaraz, and hopes it will continue for many years to come…
A look at every Masters final on the ATP Tour between Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic
Djokovic has a new source of guidance for this competition, having hired retired superstar Andy Murray as his new coach.
Alcaraz’s coach is Juan Carlos Ferrero, another former world No 1.
And Sky Sports Tennis’ Overend said: “Murray actually beat Ferrero three times and all of them in 2009, including at Wimbledon that year.
“Two very astute readers of the game and we know the excellent work Ferrero has done with Alcaraz over several years, but we’re already seeing Murray’s impact on Djokovic.
“The potential for this great short-term coaching arrangement is there for all to see and Murray will absolutely relish the opportunity of plotting Alcaraz’s downfall. I suppose the big question is, is whether he tries to tinker with anything in particular.
“What Murray might be able to bring is a couple of subtle tweaks, potentially to the counter-attacking game of Djokovic.
“We know how good he is, but could he see a few gaps in the Alcaraz backline to try to take the initiative in rallies and to stop the Spaniard getting on top of the points.”
Murray joked that he’s hoping to sabotage Djokovic’s chances of winning another Australian Open
The Spaniard is 16 years younger than Djokovic so age is on his side but last season his play was somewhat erratic and he is in the process of remodelling his serve.
“This is the first time they’ve met since Alcaraz has tweaked his serve,” said Overend.
“Already we’ve seen an increase in speed, an increase in potency, the changes they’ve made in the off-season have been quite noticeable in the action. Any jerkiness that we previously saw from Carlos has gone, it’s a much smoother motion now. He seems to be able to generate that ‘pop’ with it.
“It all seems to be coming together for him, but will that be as effective? That slight increase in potency against the greatest returner, against Djokovic.
“I think Djokovic is too good a returner for it to make any particular difference.”
Sky Sports Tennis’ Jonathan Overend speaks on Djokovic’s decision to bring Murray onto his team
“I believe Djokovic has got it in him to win and logic suggests that his best chance is this next chance at this Australian Open, then you add the element of Andy Murray and his coaching corner,” said Sky Sports Tennis’ Overend.
“This is the opportunity for Djokovic to break the record. He’s three matches away from doing it.
“Potentially he’s going to have to beat Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, and Jannik Sinner in successive matches which is going to be enormously tough but having gone for him from the start and having that mic-drop moment of making 25 Grand Slams and who knows? Maybe even retiring on the spot should he win the trophy.
“I’m going to have to go for Djokovic to repeat his Paris achievement and beat Alcaraz once more.”
Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, as well as the US Open, live on Sky Sports in 2025 or stream with NOW and through the Sky Sports app.
Novak Djokovic and new coach Andy Murray plot the downfall of Carlos Alcaraz in Australian Open quarter-final
In a highly anticipated match-up at the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic and his new coach Andy Murray are set to take on the rising star Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-final. Djokovic, the defending champion and world number one, will be looking to continue his dominant form and secure a spot in the semi-finals.
With Murray joining Djokovic’s coaching team ahead of the tournament, the duo have been working hard to strategize and prepare for their upcoming matches. The addition of the former world number one has added a new dimension to Djokovic’s game, and the two are confident in their ability to overcome any challenges that come their way.
On the other side of the net, Carlos Alcaraz is a young and talented player who has been making waves in the tennis world. The 18-year-old Spaniard has already defeated some top players in the tournament and is eager to prove himself against the best in the world.
As Djokovic and Murray plot their tactics to take down Alcaraz, fans can expect a thrilling and intense match on the court. With Djokovic’s experience and Murray’s expertise, the duo will be a formidable force to reckon with.
Stay tuned for what promises to be an exciting showdown as Djokovic and Murray face off against Alcaraz in the Australian Open quarter-final. Who will emerge victorious? Only time will tell.
Tags:
Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open, quarter-final, tennis news, new coach, downfall, plot, strategy, match preview, player analysis
#Novak #Djokovic #coach #Andy #Murray #plot #downfall #Carlos #Alcaraz #Australian #Open #quarterfinal #Tennis #News
After a tricky 6-3, 6-4 first-round victory over world No. 1 doubles player Katerina Siniakova last Monday, Swiatek has been barreling through the draw, following that up with a 6-0, 6-2 victory over Rebecca Sramkova in the second round and a 6-1, 6-0 win over former US Open champion Emma Raducanu in the third round.
And she was as dominant as ever in the fourth round on Monday night, winning the first nine games in a row for a 6-0, 3-0 lead before Lys, who got into the main draw here as a lucky loser, finally got on the board with a hold of serve to make it 6-0, 3-1.
Swiatek then won three more games in a row to close it out.
She finished the match with 28 winners in 59 minutes.
The world No. 2 has only lost four games across her last three matches, but things will likely get much tougher in the next round as she faces her first Top 10 foe of the tournament—awaiting her in the quarterfinals is the world No. 8, Emma Navarro, who outlasted another Top 10 player, No. 10 Daria Kasatkina, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5.
Iga Swiatek storms into milestone 10th Grand Slam quarterfinal of career at Australian Open
Polish tennis sensation Iga Swiatek continues to impress on the Grand Slam stage, as she secured her 10th quarterfinal appearance at a major tournament with a dominant performance at the Australian Open.
The reigning French Open champion showcased her signature aggressive style of play, overwhelming her opponent with powerful groundstrokes and precise shot-making. Swiatek’s remarkable run in Melbourne has seen her defeat top players and former Grand Slam champions, solidifying her status as a force to be reckoned with in the women’s game.
With her latest victory, Swiatek becomes the youngest player to reach 10 Grand Slam quarterfinals since Maria Sharapova in 2007. The 20-year-old rising star is poised to continue her impressive form as she aims to add another major title to her collection.
Fans and pundits alike are eagerly anticipating Swiatek’s upcoming matches, as she looks to make a deep run at the Australian Open and further establish herself as one of the brightest talents in women’s tennis. Stay tuned to see if she can continue her winning ways and make a splash in Melbourne.
Tags:
Iga Swiatek, Australian Open, Grand Slam, quarterfinal, tennis, milestone, career, 10th, history, women’s tennis, Poland, young talent
#Iga #Swiatek #storms #milestone #10th #Grand #Slam #quarterfinal #career #Australian #Open
Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch Djokovic vs Alcaraz Australian Open clash, stream, TV channel and plenty more
Defending Olympic tennis gold medallist Novak Djokovic from Serbia is set to take on Spain’s four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s singles quarter-finals of the 2025 Australian Open on Tuesday.
A bronze medallist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Djokovic stands atop the men’s Grand Slam leaderboard with a record-breaking 24 titles, including a remarkable 10 Australian Open crowns. His most recent triumph at Melbourne Park came in 2023, when he defeated Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6(7-4), 7-6(7-5) in the championship match.
In this year’s campaign, the 37-year-old dispatched 24th seed Jiri Lehecka of Czechia in the fourth round, sealing a 6-3, 6-4, 7(7)-6(4) victory. On his way to the quarter-finals, Djokovic has surrendered only two sets, showcasing his characteristic dominance.
Meanwhile, third-seeded Carlos Alcaraz is still chasing his maiden Australian Open title. The 21-year-old Spaniard has exited in the quarter-finals in the past two editions of the tournament but has already claimed one French Open, two Wimbledon titles, and a US Open in his blossoming career.
In the fourth round, Alcaraz advanced courtesy of a walkover after leading Great Britain’s 15th seed Jack Draper 7-5, 6-1 before Draper was forced to retire. Prior to this, the young Spaniard dropped just one set during his third-round match against Portugal’s Nuno Borges, reinforcing his strong form en route to the quarters.
Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch the Novak Djokovic vs Carlos Alcaraz Australian Open 2025 quarter-final clash, plus plenty more.
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz will lock head-to-head in a highly anticipated 2025 Australian Open game on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at 4:10 am ET/1:10 am PT at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia.
Fans in the USA can catch all the action between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz on:
Unable to watch this game due to broadcast restrictions? A VPN could be the answer to your problems.
When it comes to streaming live sports, NordVPN is our pick for the best VPN service in 2024. You can even try NordVPN risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
If you aren’t sure how to use a VPN, check out our guide on how to set up and stream sports from any country with a VPN.
Audio Stream: National: 391 (CAR), 981 (NE)
Fans wanting to listen to the action live can do so via SiriusXM.
SiriusXM offers play-by-play commentary from games in all major US sports. It also brings you closer to the action with exclusive interviews and expert analysis from league insiders and experts.
You can try SiriusXM for free with their one-month trial. After that, the All Access plan costs $9.99 a month.
Seeded seventh at the 2025 Australian Open, Novak Djokovic has faced Carlos Alcaraz seven times in their careers, with the Serbian holding a narrow 4-3 advantage in their head-to-head battles.
The last time these two heavyweights locked horns was in the final of the Paris 2024 Olympics, where Djokovic clinched gold with a hard-fought straight-sets victory, winning 7(7)-6(3), 7(7)-6(2) over Alcaraz. For the 21-year-old, an Olympic silver medal and a growing list of major titles underline his potential, even as the Australian Open remains elusive.
The highly anticipated quarter-final clash between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open 2025 is set to be a thrilling match-up. If you’re looking to watch the action unfold, here’s everything you need to know:
Head-to-head:
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz have never faced each other before, making this match even more exciting as both players look to make their mark on the tournament.
TV channel:
The match will be broadcasted live on ESPN, so make sure to tune in to catch all the action as it happens.
Start time:
The quarter-final clash between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM local time in Melbourne, Australia. Make sure to check your local listings for the exact start time in your timezone.
Live stream:
If you’re unable to watch the match on TV, you can also live stream it on the ESPN app or website. Simply log in with your cable provider information to access the live stream.
Don’t miss out on what promises to be an epic showdown between two talented players. Tune in to watch Novak Djokovic take on Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open 2025 quarter-final clash and witness some top-tier tennis action.
Tags:
#watch #live #stream #Novak #Djokovic #Carlos #Alcaraz #Australian #Open #quarterfinal #clash #Headtohead #channel #start #time
Novak Djokovic set up a mouth-watering Australian Open quarter-final against Carlos Alcaraz with a convincing victory over Jiri Lehecka.
Djokovic continued his bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title with a 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4) win against the Czech 24th seed.
He will face Alcaraz in the last eight after the Spaniard progressed when British number one Jack Draper retired with a hip injury earlier on Sunday.
Alcaraz has beaten Djokovic in the past two Wimbledon finals, but the Serb got the better of the 21-year-old to win gold at the Paris Olympics last summer – Djokovic’s self-proclaimed “biggest sporting achievement”.
Djokovic was booed by the crowd as Lehecka threatened to force a fourth set, and the 11-time Australian Open champion was quick to leave Rod Laver Arena after his victory.
“Thank you very much for being here tonight. I appreciate your support and I will see you in the next round,” the 37-year-old said.
Speaking in a news conference afterwards, Djokovic clarified his reasons for swerving the usual on-court interview with four-time major winner Jim Courier.
He referred to the actions of Channel Nine newsreader Tony Jones, who shouted “Novak, he’s overrated, Novak’s a has-been, Novak kick him out” towards Djokovic fans while live on camera on Friday.
“A couple days ago the famous sports journalist who works for official broadcaster Channel Nine here in Australia made a mockery of Serbian fans and also made insulting and offensive comments towards me,” Djokovic said.
“So since they’re official broadcasters, I chose not to give interviews for Channel Nine. I have nothing against Jim Courier or the Australian public.
“It was a very awkward situation for me.”
In a thrilling match at the Australian Open 2025, Novak Djokovic defeated Jiri Lehecka to advance to the quarter-finals. The world No. 1 showed his class and experience as he overcame the young Czech player in a hard-fought battle.
Djokovic’s victory sets up an exciting quarter-final clash with the rising star Carlos Alcaraz. The 18-year-old Spaniard has been in impressive form throughout the tournament, and will undoubtedly provide a tough challenge for the Serbian champion.
Fans can expect an intense and high-quality match when Djokovic and Alcaraz face off in the next round. Both players will be looking to secure their spot in the semi-finals and continue their quest for the Australian Open title.
Stay tuned for more updates and results from the Australian Open 2025 as the action unfolds.
Tags:
SEO friendly tags for the post:
1. Australian Open 2025
2. Novak Djokovic
3. Jiri Lehecka
4. Carlos Alcaraz
5. Tennis
6. Grand Slam
7. Quarter-final
8. Match results
9. Professional tennis
10. Sports news
#Australian #Open #results #Novak #Djokovic #beats #Jiri #Lehecka #set #quarterfinal #Carlos #Alcaraz
Continuing her hot start to the season, No.19 seed Madison Keys of the United States moved into the Australian Open quarterfinals for the fourth time in her career by grinding out a 6-3, 1-6, 6-3 victory over No.6 seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan.
Australian Open: Scores | Schedule | Draws
Keys shook off a second-set lull to topple 2023 Australian Open finalist Rybakina in 1 hour and 49 minutes, moving ahead 3-2 in their head-to-head. Keys is now a win away from reaching her third Australian Open semifinal, having made the final four here in 2015 and 2022.
“Obviously pretty good first set, and I think I finished the third set really well,” Keys said in press. “There are some things that I can take and learn from the middle of the match, but overall, really happy with how I was able to finish and close out that match.”
Keys will next take on No.28 seed Elina Svitolina in a quarterfinal showdown. Svitolina came back from a double-break down in the first set to roll past Veronika Kudermetova 6-4, 6-1 in Rod Laver Arena on Monday.
Keys has a narrow 3-2 head-to-head lead over Svitolina. Their most recent meeting came almost exactly three years ago, also in Australia: Keys beat Svitolina in the first round of the WTA 250 event at Adelaide in 2022, then went all the way to the title.
Keys’ winning streak extended: Keys did it again in Adelaide this year, winning the WTA 500 title in that city a week ago. The American is now on a nine-match winning streak, and she is the tour leader in match-wins so far this year (overall win-loss record of 10-1 in 2025).
The 29-year-old Keys brought her sparkling form into her marquee match against 2022 Wimbledon champion Rybakina. The 2017 US Open finalist out-winnered Rybakina by 12 to nine in the first set, and she swatted away the lone break point she faced in the opener.
Obviously there would be many momentum shifts in a match between two big hitters, and Rybakina took complete charge in the second set. The decisive third set was very much up for grabs as well through 3-3.
But Keys reclaimed her top form from there, creaming massive returns to stymie Rybakina. A return winner gave Keys the pivotal break for a 4-3 lead, and she slammed her 27th winner of the day to convert her second match point and reach her 11th Grand Slam quarterfinal.
“At 3-3 [in the third set], I made a pretty conscious decision to really try to take advantage of anything that I got as early as I could in the point,” Keys said. “I felt like from that moment on I really was able to just kind of dictate and run away with the last set.”
This was Keys’ first Top 10 win at a Grand Slam since she notched back-to-back victories over Jessica Pegula and Marketa Vondrousova to make the 2023 US Open semifinals.
Surging Svitolina: Former World No.3 Svitolina, meanwhile, continues to rack up strong Grand Slam results. She is into her 12th career Grand Slam quarterfinal, and her first quarterfinal at the Australian Open since 2019.
Her Slam successes have not dwindled since her return from maternity leave in 2023 either. This is Svitolina’s fourth Slam quarterfinal since she gave birth to daughter Skai in 2022.
Svitolina reached back-to-back Australian Open quarterfinals in 2018 and 2019. She came close to making another quarterfinal Down Under last year, but she retired in her fourth-round match against Linda Noskova due to a back injury.
The 30-year-old has gone one further this year, during a fortnight which has already been historic. With her second-round win over Caroline Dolehide, Svitolina became the first Ukrainian player of any gender in the Open Era to post 100 main-draw wins at Grand Slam events.
“All the four matches that I played here, I’m really happy with my fitness,” Svitolina said afterwards. “I’m really happy with the way I’ve been handling tough physical matches that I had. Yeah, so far so good.”
It was a tricky start for Svitolina on Monday, as powerful hitting by former World No.9 Kudermetova gave the unseeded player a 4-1, double-break advantage. Kudermetova, by the way, had won both of their previous meetings, each time in three sets.
However, Svitolina found some of her best shots — including stunning angles and exceptional passes — to reel off five straight games and snatch the one-set lead. Kudermetova, meanwhile, had two visits from the physio in the latter stages of the first set.
Behind heavier returns, Svitolina took full command in the second set. A pristine volley gave the Ukrainian a break for 3-1, and she eased to an 83-minute win from there. Svitolina converted five of her nine break points on the day.
“It was tricky today at the beginning,” Svitolina said. “But I’m very proud of myself I could find my way.”
In a stunning upset at the Australian Open, Madison Keys defeated Elena Rybakina to advance to the quarterfinals. Keys, the 2017 US Open finalist, showed her power and precision on the court as she ousted the 7th seed Rybakina in straight sets.
Keys will now face off against Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinals, setting up what is sure to be an exciting matchup between two top-ranked players. Svitolina, the 4th seed, has been in top form at this year’s Australian Open and will be a tough opponent for Keys.
Both players will be looking to secure a spot in the semifinals and continue their pursuit of the coveted Grand Slam title. Tennis fans can expect a thrilling showdown between Keys and Svitolina as they battle it out on the courts of Melbourne Park. Stay tuned for all the action and updates from this exciting quarterfinal clash.
Tags:
#Keys #ousts #Rybakina #Melbourne #sets #quarterfinal #meeting #Svitolina
Naomi Osaka becomes second semifinalist
Fans and organisers will be breathing a sigh of relief after Naomi Osaka survived a scare to reach the semifinals.
The seventh seed is the biggest remaining name in a tournament largely lacking star power and an upset loss in the quarter-finals would have been a blow for those with tickets to the weekend sessions.
Osaka ensured fans would get their money’s worth, though, coming from a set down to defeat Hailey Baptiste 6-7, 6-1, 6-2. The American put up a brave fight after progressing from a marathon match that stretched past 11pm last night, but in the end Osaka’s quality was too much to overcome.
The Japanese will now meet the winner of the semifinal between Americans Katie Volynets and Alycia Parks for a place in the final.
Osaka romps in second set
Naomi Osaka has wasted little time in levelling her quarter-final with Hailey Baptiste at a set apiece.
After falling 7-6 to begin the match, the seventh set waltzed to a 6-1 victory in the second set, setting up a decider with a semifinal spot on the line.
Osaka will be favoured to advance against the world No 92 Baptiste, who was on court for almost three hours late last night.
Osaka drops first set in tiebreak
One of the biggest stars remaining in the tournament will have to fight back from a set down to reach the semifinals.
Naomi Osaka has dropped the first set in a tiebreak to American Hailey Baptiste, who had earlier served for the set before Osaka rallied back.
The Japanese seventh seed was unable to repeat that resurgence after falling behind in the tiebreak, with Baptiste showing few signs of wear despite her round-of-16 match finishing after 11pm last night.
Robin Montgomery reaches maiden semifinal
Excellent from the young left-hander. Finishes with an ace, her 12th of the match, and takes down Bernarda Pera 6-4, 6-4. The 20-year-old American will face either top seed Madison Keys or Clara Tauson for a spot in the final.
“I feel great. Just hope my team is happy with my serve,” she says after the victory.
“I still have to do my routine. It’s just another day,” she adds about playing in the semifinals for the first time.
First set to Montgomery
Montgomery burns through a few break point chances but an early break is enough to take the opening set 6-4. She’s one set away from her first WTA semifinal.
It’s quarter-final day
Time to find out the top four of the tournament. Six of the eight quarter-finalists are American, with two of them featuring in the first match on Grandstand right now. There was a delayed start with some rain in Auckland this morning.
Bernarda Pera (USA) v Robin Montgomery (USA)
Followed by
7-Naomi Osaka (Japan) v Hailey Baptiste (USA)
1-Madison Keys (USA) v 5-Clara Tauson (Denmark)
8-Katie Volynets (USA) v Alycia Parks (USA)
The ASB Classic in Auckland is heating up as we head into the quarter-final day. The top seeds Naomi Osaka and Madison Keys are set to lead the schedule, promising some exciting matches for tennis fans.
Osaka, the world number three and defending champion, will be facing off against Amanda Anisimova in what is expected to be a thrilling match. Anisimova, the rising star from the USA, has been in great form and will be looking to make a statement by taking down the reigning champion.
On the other hand, Madison Keys will be taking on Caroline Garcia in another highly anticipated match-up. Keys, known for her powerful game, will be looking to overpower Garcia and secure her spot in the semi-finals.
With these two exciting matches on the schedule, fans can expect a day filled with intense competition and high-quality tennis. Stay tuned for more updates as the ASB Classic continues to unfold.
Tags:
ASB Classic updates, Quarter-final day, Naomi Osaka, Madison Keys, tennis, tournament, women’s singles, sports, Auckland, New Zealand, match schedule, results, latest news
#ASB #Classic #updates #day #Quarterfinal #day #Naomi #Osaka #Madison #Keys #lead #schedule
